Flexible suspended wine rack

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to hanging racks for the securing of containers such as bottles for wines and liquors and the maintenance thereof in substantially horizontal position, in such manner that the labels are in full view and the position of the containers may be adjusted by loosening or tightening the retaining members forming a part of the rack.

United States Patent Paumgardhen I July 17, 1973 [541 FLEXIBLE SUSPENDEDWINE RACK 2,535,564 l2/1950 Campbell 211/64 X 2,744,668 5/1956 Hcnigman1761 lnvcmo" Gaethy Paumgardhef 1,014,004 1 1912 Irwin 1. 211 74 ux I911 Jefferson Davlfi Hlghwfly, 3,462,009 8/1969 Moore 204 1172 xArlington, Va. 22202 t FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICA FIONS Med: July559,144 6/1958 Canada 211/606 21 APPL 167 9 8,933 6/1902 Great Britain..215/100 R 811,199 1/1937 France 224/ A [52] 11.8. C1 211/75, 182/196,-248/59, primary Examine, Roy Frazier 248/318 Assistant Examiner-AbrahamFrankel I51 1 Int. Cl A4711 73/00 lfiX] Field of Search 211/75, 117, G,

211/64, 74, 60 SK, 44, 118,60 T, 71, 13, 4; ABSTRACT 224 45 AA, 45 A 4945 BA, 55 45 This invention relates to hanging racks for the securing220/109; 206/; 294/872; ISO/1.5 B; of containers such as bottles forwines and liquors and 215 132 19 24 32 201 31 59 the maintenancethereofin substantially horizontal position, in such manner that thelabels are in full view I 5 References Cited and the position of thecontainers may be adjusted by UNITED STATES PATENTS loosening ortightening the retaining members forming t f th k. 2,259,667 10/1941Smith 211/74 X a par 0 e we 3,483,996 12/1969 Scammon 211/60 G 5 Claims,7 Drawing Figures cooneueeoo Ooooooouu eonoeeeee Patented July 17, 19732 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG 1 0003000 0 on a n ofloooa o aau-ooofioco nn-00c-0o a n a a n -00 u -0000 ucooangooqu O af-00.. a: a #:0003006 :ooa a noon 0000 INVENTOR GAETHY PAUMGARDHEN FLEXIBLE SUSPENDED WINE RACKThis invention has for its purpose the provision of a rack easilyinstalled on a wall space, wherein articles such as wine bottles or likecontainers may be stored in full view for ready identification and ineasily accessible position. For simplification of language, suchcontainers are hereinafter referred to as bottles, without intent ofstrict limitation thereto.

A further purpose of the invention is the maintenance of such bottles inhorizontal position, such that when cork means are used as closures, thecork is kept moist by the contents of the bottle to ensure completesealing thereof.

The nature and structure of this invention combine to form a decorativeas well as convenient means for storing wine bottles, it being possibleto hang the rack on a wall so that it will not occupy floor space or bein the way of passing traffic and, since the diameter of the bottles tobe stored in this rack averages approximately 4 inches or less, theirstorage in the product of this invention prevents their protrusion intothe room. The fact of having such bottles safely out of the way ofdanger, while still being easily accessible, is an important featurewhen the product is used in small apartments or compact houses; and inany surroundings there is merit in the decorative effect provided bythis rack and its conents.

For a better understanding of this invention, refer-.

ence is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of this invention, having bottles insertedin the respective retaining members.

FIG. 2 shows the same view as FIG. 1, but having the bottles removed.

FIG. 3 is a section on line 33 of FIG. 1, showing the attachment of thelarger one of the retaining members on the vertical members of the rackand the base of a bottle held therein.

FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 without the bottle.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the smaller retaining member for holdingthe neck of the bottle.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detal view taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 3, showingthe method of attachment of the retaining members; and

FIG. 7 is a detail view on line 77 of FIG. 3.

It will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the rack 10 is suspended onvertical bands 11, 11 from bar 12, while cross-members 13 retain thevertical bands in substantially parallel relationship. Major retainingmembers 14 hold the base portions of the respective bottles, and minorretaining members 15 hold the neck portions. The structure is moreclearly shown in FIG. 1, with the bottles removed, so that theadjustment holes 16 in the vertical members may be seen.

The sectional views in FIGS. 3 and 4 show the retaining member 14 withadjustment means to permit encompassment of the base portion of thebottle.

The view of FIG. 5 shows retaining member 15, also with adjustment meansto permit encompassment of the neck of the bottle.

Adjustment of the major and minor retaining members to fit thedimensions of the bottles is effected by use of buckles'or othersuitable fastening means.

The distance between the vertical members is sufficient to permitholding each bottle at a point near the base thereof and at anotherpoint near the upper end of the neck, thus placing the label in fullview for ready identification. Alternating directions of the bottlesprovide blanced weight on the structure, as well as enhancing theappearance of the rack when filled with bottles.

The successive holes 16, longitudinally disposed in the verticalmembers, permit adjustment of the retaining members to accommodatefewer, or more, bottles on a rack.

The material from which this rack is made is preferably leather, whichcombines flexibility, durability, and resistance to slippage when glassbottles are inserted in the retaining members. Other materialspossessing like properties may also be used; it is the structure whichis deemed new and useful, and for which protection is sought.

The supporting bar 12 may be made of metal or wood, or other suitablematerial having sufficient rigidity to support a loaded rack andpresenting a desirable appearance.

The invention having been thus disclosed, what is claimed is:

l. A flexible suspended wine rack having in combination verticalflexible band members in substantially parallel relationship retained inmaximum lateral disposition by other band members; and upon saidvertical band members, a plurality of pairs of flexible retaining means,each pair for the accommodation therewithin of the opposite ends of acontainer supported on said rack; each pair of said retaining meansbeing of diverse iongitudinal dimensions, one longer than the others,each adjustable to permit snug encompassment of the portion of therespective container accommodated therewithin; sand said retaining meansbeing attached upon said vertical band members in alternate arrangementand in such sequence as to dispose one long and one shorter retainingmeans of each pair at different horizontal levels on said parallelvertical bands.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vertical band members areattached at their upper ends to a transverse rigid bar.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said retaining means, being flexiblematerial, have sufficient resistance to slippage to prevent accidentalrelease of any part of a container therefrom.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vertical band members and saidretaining means affixed thereupon are so disposed with respect to thecontainers to be accommodated thereon as to place the body portions ofsaid containers having identifying lables thereon in full view for readyidentification.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein each adjustable retaining meanscomprises a strap having successive holes longitudinally disposed nearone end thereof, and fastening means engageable with any selected hole.in said strap; and wherein sad vertical band members have successiveholes longitudinally disposed to permit adjustable placement of saidretaining means on said band members, thus varying the distance betweenthe successive levels of retaining member and containers accommodatedupon said rack.

t 1: t t t

1. A flexible suspended wine rack having in combination verticalflexible band members in substantially parallel relationship retained inmaximum lateral disposition by other band members; and upon saidvertical band members, a plurality of pairs of flexible retaining means,each pair for the accommodation therewithin of the opposite ends of acontainer supported on said rack; each pair of said retaining meansbeing of diverse longitudinal dimensions, one longer than the others,each adjustable to permit snug encompassment of the portion of therespective container accommodated therewithin; sand said retaining meansbeing attached upon said vertical band members in alternate arrangementand in such sequence as to dispose one long and one shorter retainingmeans of each pair at different horizontal levels on said parallelvertical bands.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vertical bandmembers are attached at their upper ends to a transverse rigid bar. 3.The invention of claim 1 wherein said retaining means, being flexiblematerial, have sufficient resistance to slippage to prevent accidentalrelease of any part of a container therefrom.
 4. The invention of claim1 wherein said vertical band members and said retaining means affixedthereupon are so disposed with respect to the containers to beaccommodated thereon as to place the body portions of said containershaving identifying lables thereon in full view for ready identification.5. The invention of claim 1 wherein each adjustable retaining meanscomprises a strap having successive holes longitudinally disposed nearone end thereof, and fastening means engageable with any selected holein said strap; and wherein sad vertical band members have successiveholes longitudinally disposed to permit adjustable placement of saidretaining means on said band members, thus varying the distance betweenthe successive levels of retaining member and containers accommodatedupon said rack.